Anyone who hunts, shoots or owns a firearm (pistol, revolver, shotgun, rifle, bow, crossbow, muzzleloader or air rifle) needs to know and practice firearms safety. All of us has a responsibility to know and follow all safe firearms safety rules. Unlike other sports, one mistake can kill or severely injure another person.
The Four Cardinal Firearms Safety Rules
- Assume every firearm is loaded until you visually and physically check the weapon yourself.
- Never point your weapon at anyone or anything you do not wish to be dead or destroyed.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until fully committed to shooting.
- Know your target and what is beyond and around it.
When you pull the trigger or release an arrow, there is no going back. You and you alone shoulder the responsibility for each and every round that you discharge.
Safe Firearms Storage
Owning a firearm is a constitutional right. Securing that weapon is your undeniable responsibility. All firearms must be secured and locked. Firearms and ammunition should be kept apart and locked.
Firearms Proficiency
Handling your weapon(s) safely is critically important. Being able to make precise shots is equally important. Hitting vital organs on game animals results in clean and humane kills. Poor shot placement can result in wounded animals that you may not recover. The more you practice the better you become in safe handling, shot placement and game recovery. Even with the best intentions and a great deal of practice, misses do happen. If you hunt long enough, you will eventually wound an animal and not recover it. It’s a terrible feeling when it happens. As ethical and responsible hunters, we owe it to the animals to do our best to practice, take only the best shots and do our best to learn how to recover game properly.
Be Safe, Practice and Be a Responsible Firearms Owner
